Making new friends in a city like London sounds easy on paper. It’s a global hub and the city is filled with activities. However, if you’ve ever lived in London, you may know how easy it is tofeel anonymous in a crowd.
From personal experience, I can say that meaningful connections don’t just happen. You have to create the conditions for them to grow. Even my dad, who’s from a very different time and generation, used to meet new people whenever he visited his local betting shop. That’s no longer the case, though, since betting apps made it easier for people to place their bets without leaving their homes. While it’s more convenient, it’s also a negative from a social point of view.
Meeting new people in London is still possible, but you’ll have to be intentional about finding them. Consistency is also key since it’s rare to walk into an event once and instantly click with someone. You have to keep showing up to the same club, meet-up, or the community class until you start seeing familiar faces. As you follow along with your routine, you’ll witness conversations grow, bonds form, and friendships develop.
Regularly hang out at your local pub or coffee shop
One of the most overlooked ways to meet people in London is by becoming a regular at your local pub or coffee shop. I remember my first visit to the city, as a tourist back then. I arrived earlier than expected and tried to check into my hotel in Sussex Gardens. They told me the room wasn’t ready yet, so I settled in a cafe to pass the time.
Nearly every person who came in to get their coffee in the morning seemed to know the staff, and also each other on a first name basis. They exchanged stories about their weekends, cracked jokes, and genuinely seemed invested in each other’s lives. I realised then that even in a metropolis like London, there are still pockets of community right under your nose.
Regardless of if it’s a local pub or a coffee shop, If you visit the same spot regularly, you’ll start to notice familiar faces. Baristas will remember your order, and locals will give you a nod of recognition. Eventually, you may strike up a chat with someone and anything can happen from there. You might find yourself invited to join a quiz night, chat over a pint with the regulars.
Attend Local Meetups
Attending local meetups is an effective way to meet new people in London. These events tend to be informal and interest-based. The best part about them is that meetups attract people who are also looking to socialise, network, or just spend time with like-minded individuals.
A quick look at Reddit’s London Social Club shows how active the city is when it comes to meetups. You can join in on pub crawling plans, picnics, art hangouts, concerts, or hikes. These only scratch the surface, since you can also find pub quizzes, comedy nights, football games, and casual coffee meetups since there is something happening every day.
These events work well because they’re structured to give you something to talk about. If you find a meet up that clicks, keep attending. The first time might feel a bit awkward, but repeated attendance turns you from a visitor into part of the group.
Volunteer for a Cause You Care About
Volunteer activities present another chance to form connections in London. It brings together people who care about the same issues. Depending on the nature of the volunteering activities, you may need to show up consistently, which opens upopportunities for connections.
You can find weekly food bank shifts, weekend clean-ups, or monthly charity events. The structure of these events builds familiarity. You see the same faces and you work toward the same goal, so the conversations feel natural right off the bat rather than forced.
Social pressures tend to be lower in volunteering because the focus is generally on getting something done. If your vibe doesn’t match the group, you can simply continue doing the good work and check out other schedules, or move onto something else.
Join a Class
Joining a class is a simple and practical way to meet new people in London. Whether it’s cooking, pottery, painting, or yoga, classes bring people together. Participants are often open to learning something new, and the same applies to newconversations as well.
It’s the built-in structure that makes classes effective when it comes to socialising. You’ll work on a task, following an instructor, and get paired with other people at times. This means you won’t be standing around and hoping to strike up a conversation, the opportunities will come to you.
If you regularly attend a class, you’ll start to recognise people, share tips, and help each other out in the class as well. You don’t have to be good at the activity either. In fact, being a beginner can make you more approachable.
Make the Most of Work Relationships
If you’re employed in London, your workplace might be one of the easiest places to start building new connections. You already spend five days a week there, in most cases, so why not make the most of it?
Something as simple as asking a colleague about their weekend plans, or sharing what you got up to yourself, can open the door to deeper conversations. The quick exchanges at the coffee machine or during lunch can gradually build trust and familiarity.
Many companies also organise social events, team outings, or after-work drinks. If you tend to skip these, it might be worth reconsidering. These events give you the chance to meet people from other teams or departments who you wouldn’t normally interact with. One good conversation at a company quiz night or pub gathering can plant the seeds for a new friendship.
Use Apps Designed for Friendship
Some dating apps also have dedicated sections for people looking for just friendships. Bumble BFF, for example, allows users to connect with people in London who are also actively looking to expand their social circle.
My favourite part about the apps is that both sides know why they’re there and that removes a lot of the guesswork and awkwardness. You’re not trying to figure out if someone’s open to conversation because you’ve already matched with similar intentions.
You can simply set up a profile, list your interests, and match with people who have similar vibes. Once there is a match, it’s a matter of chatting and meeting up in real life.
How can you make friends in London – Tips and tricks
We’ve listed some great places and methods to meet new people in London. If you’re looking to make the most of our advice, here are a few habits that can make a big difference:
Overall, in a big city like London, the key to making friends is showing up, staying open, and giving friendships the time and space to grow.
